Free Radio 80s (Coventry & Warwickshire), like each local commercial station in the UK has obligations with regard to its programmes, including its music and local content. These obligations are set out in the station Format which forms part of our Public File.
The Public File is just one indicator of our output. Just ask us if you’d like a hard copy. If you have any comments on it, let us know or, if necessary, contact our regulator, Ofcom.
News
Except in special or exceptional circumstances (which may include some bank holiday periods,) the station broadcasts news bulletins hourly from 0700 until 0900 and from 1600 to 1800 weekdays, and from 0900 to 1100 weekends containing a mix of local/regional, national and world stories, along with sport, weather and entertainment news as appropriate.
Additionally, at other times, bulletins containing national and world news, prepared by Sky, are broadcast.
Some of the news stories we’ve carried recently
Our news pages online show some of our most recent stories – click here to read them
The news team is managed by the Group News Editor, Vicky Breakwell - vicky.breakwell@freeradio.co.uk. You can also contact the news team on news@freeradio.co.uk or on 0121 566 5420.
The news operation is based at our studios in Birmingham for the most part. From time to time, some content is prepared from other Orion Media Midlands newsrooms.
Programmes
The station broadcasts twenty four hours a day. They comprise Eighties music, features and conversation hosted by a range of presenters as listed on the main Free Radio website. The station also carries local football commentary when relevant matches occur; and football and conversation programmes generally on Mondays and Friday evenings from 1800-1900. All programmes (apart from specialised localised programming such as football commentary) are generally shared with Free Radio 80s (Birmingham, Wolverhampton & Shropshire)
Programme Production
Football commentary and discussion programmes are live. All other programming is generally automated apart from special programmes.
Local Programming
Except in special or exceptional circumstances, Free Radio 80s programmes are generally broadcast from Birmingham twenty four hours a day.
Guidelines
Guidelines on localness have been published by our regulator OFCOM, and are available here: www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/car/localness
Contact
To contact the radio station generally, use our ‘contact us’ page and we’ll make every effort to reply to any emails which raise substantive issues. Should you prefer to speak to programme management, please contact david@orionmedia.com. You can also contact the station during office hours on 0121 566 5200
Events/Charities support or coverage
Free Radio 80s (Coventry & Warwickshire) is the sister station to Free Radio (Coventry & Warwickshire) which stages several events and charity initiatives through the year. In 2012, the Walk of Warwickshire saw us raise over £100,000 for the UHCW Charities Baby Care Appeal. It is envisaged that, wherever possible, Free Radio 80s will play an additional support role to many of these such events and charity initiatives.
Live 2012 will return this Winter, where some of the biggest musical stars will perform live at the LG Arena in Birmingham.
Recent Programme and/or News Highlights
Our website covers much of the programming we’re proud of (general and, where appropriate, news). Click here to see our Free Radio 80s home page.
The station’s ongoing news agenda is highlighted above on the link to our news pages.
Localness
We aim that our radio stations belong to the areas they serve as much as they can. Any suggestions or thoughts on our output are always much valued.
Music
Our output is Eighties music. Examples of some of the key artists are: U2, Tracy Chapman, The Cars, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Deacon Blue, Meatloaf, Depeche Mode, ABBA, The Police, Patrick Swayze, Bryan Adams, Everything But The Girl, Human League, The Housemartins, Blondie, Roxette,,Toto, Starship, Richard Marx, Wham and Human League.
Format
As outlined at the head of this document, the station is governed by a Format, which forms part of our licence. Our Format is available here
How to complain
Live, entertaining radio always carries some risk. We try to get things right, and not all programmes will be to everyone’s taste. Where we do make mistakes, we’ll try to take appropriate action as quickly as we can. Please do get in touch with any comments – praise or complaints and we’ll consider them carefully. Contact us here
To speak to us directly, our weekday office hours phone numbers are above. Should you have any difficulties, please speak to our Chief Executive, Phil Riley.
If you feel we have not taken the right action regarding a broadcast after contacting us, you may refer the matter to our regulator Ofcom.